Since February 24, Detector Media has been monitoring the Ukrainian segment of social media and Kremlin media, documenting the chronicle of Russian disinformation around Russia’s war against Ukraine on a daily basis. Recently, we have also started doing regular reviews.
Read reviews of Russian disinformation from previous weeks: March 1-14, March 14-21, March 23-30, March 31-April 7, April 8-15, April 16-23, the summary for ten months, and a review of the most ridiculous fakes of the year of the full-scale invasion.
From April 23 to April 30, 2023, Detector Media identified over 30 instances of disinformation. During this period, the Russian propaganda machine attempted to persuade the global community that Ukrainian students were being encouraged to study to avoid being sent to Bakhmut. Additionally, they claimed that Zelenskyy possessed a cursed hand responsible for the demise of other political figures.
“Lithuanians Headed for the Ukrainian Frontlines”
This week, anonymous sources distributed fake letters to Lithuanians, claiming they were being drafted into the trilateral Lithuanian-Polish-Ukrainian brigade named after Grand Hetman Konstanty Ostrogski and would be deployed to the frontlines. The letters were purportedly sent by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, however, refuted this information, stating that Lithuanians were not being conscripted into the trilateral brigade, as its responsibilities are entirely distinct and do not entail engagement in military conflict. The brigade’s primary function is to participate in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in collaboration with international organizations.
“A New Attire for Priests”
Russian propagandists circulated a false claim that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine’s representative office had decided to select new garments for the clergy. The authors of these messages included screenshots of the supposed new attire, which was black and resembled a tracksuit. The individual modeling the clothing appeared with white makeup on his face, black pants, and a hooded sweatshirt. According to the message creators, “This is the real face of the OCU.”
The OCU’s press service, however, refuted these allegations, stating that no such decision had been made to introduce new uniforms and that they were unlikely to consider producing such garments any time in the future.
By doing so, the Russian propaganda machine aims to demonize the OCU in the eyes of Ukrainians, insinuating that the clergy dresses inappropriately and might even practice “Satanism.”
“Ukrainian Troops to Russia!”
Throughout the week, analysts documented a manipulation claiming that the Polish Prime Minister had urged the insertion of Ukrainian forces into Russia with the intention of prolonging the war. The authors of these reports cited a recent interview with Mateusz Morawiecki.
The Russian propaganda machine twisted the context of the interview. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki discussed Ukraine’s right to carry out military operations on the territory of the invading state. He did not call for Ukraine to send troops into Russia but stated that Ukraine has the right to defend itself and strike, for instance, Russian military targets with drones if necessary. “A nation that has been attacked so brutally has the right to defend itself, and I don’t see a problem with that,” he said.
“How Deserters are ‘Punished’”
Anonymous propaganda Telegram channels disseminated a purported “order” from the commander of Ukrainian military unit 3056, instructing the execution of deserters at checkpoints. The “order” supposedly outlines various measures to prevent desertion, including “organizing firing points.”
However, the document was revealed to be fake. Representatives of the unit confirmed this on their Facebook page. Additionally, the “document” contains several inconsistencies:
· The fake document does not adhere to registration rules. For instance, military unit 3056 is part of the National Guard, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs rather than the Ministry of Defense. Nonetheless, the order was purportedly issued on behalf of the Ministry of Defense;
· The authors incorrectly identified the commander. Since 2021, the commander of the military unit has been Lieutenant Colonel Ruslan Kuzmich. The order, however, refers to "R. Kuzmich";
· The authors erroneously specified the city where the order was issued. Military unit 3056 is based in Kherson, from where all documents are dispatched.
Soldiers who leave their posts without authorization are penalized according to applicable law. Under Article 408 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, desertion during martial law is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 5 to 12 years.
“And Now, Zelenskyy’s Fail?”
“The Caspian Sea is in Belarus!” Zelenskyy claimed — or so the Russian propaganda machine attempted to convince people. The reports alleged that during one of his evening addresses, Zelenskyy stated that Belarusians could not evade responsibility anywhere — not even “on the shores of the Caspian Sea, over which their missiles are launched.” The authors attached a video of Zelenskyy’s address as evidence.
However, the video had been edited. Propagandists used Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s evening address from June 26, 2022, as the basis for their edit. In the original speech, the president first addressed Russians, declaring, “When your missiles strike residential buildings, these are war crimes. A trial awaits you all. And you will not hide anywhere: nEIAher on the shores of the Caspian Sea, over which your missiles are launched nor in Belarus... Nowhere.”
Subsequently, Zelenskyy addressed Belarusians, stating: “And I would like to speak separately to the citizens of Belarus today, both civilians and those in uniform. You are being dragged into a war...”. The video’s creators edited the Ukrainian president’s address to make it appear as if the words directed at the Russians were actually intended for Belarusians.
The Russian propaganda machine consistently disseminates false information about Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy, in an effort to discredit them. By employing such tactics of ridicule, propaganda seeks to create the illusion that Ukraine’s leadership is held in contempt in Europe.
“And His Cursed Handshake”
Authors of Telegram channels promoting pro-Kremlin narratives disseminated a message regarding Zelenskyy’s “cursed hand.” They asserted that following meetings with the President of Ukraine, numerous politicians EIAher “resigned or died.” The authors included photos of politicians and military officers who had previously met with Zelenskyy. They even suggested that Xi Jinping might be avoiding a meeting with the Ukrainian leader due to the fear of this “cursed handshake.”
Naturally, the notion of Zelenskyy’s “cursed handshake” is baseless. Firstly, even the propagandists’ own photos depict politicians who are faring well, such as Abdulsalam al-Mursidi, Executive President of the State General Reserve Fund of the Sultanate of Oman, and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Secondly, the politicians mentioned by the propagandists who did resign made their resignations long after their meetings with Zelenskyy. Lastly, it is worth noting that Zelenskyy has met with Putin in the past...
“Paris Museum Inspired by Zelenskyy’s Vices”
Telegram channels promoting pro-Kremlin narratives circulated a fake news story that the Museum of Modern Art in Paris had created an artwork dedicated to Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a nose “sniffing white powder.” As proof, they attached a photo and video supposedly taken “recently.”
In reality, this is a piece from a 2018 exhibition in Italy, and the artist dedicated it to addictions. There was no mention of Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the exhibition.
“Perfect Score or Go to War”
Towards the week’s end, Detector Media analysts documented a fake news story alleging that a website preparing students for Ukraine’s external independent assessment (EAT, taken after finishing the Ukrainian equivalent of high school) had published an advertisement encouraging them to “study to avoid going to war.” The reports claimed that the website featured an ad with the message: “Go to Bakhmut? No! Achieve the highest EAT score? Yes!” The authors of the posts attached a screenshot from the website.
There is no such advertisement on the EIA preparation website, and the photo had been edited. The “screenshot” was assembled from multiple images, with propagandists using a task from the learning.ua platform and adding a caption about Bakhmut.
By spreading such fake news, propagandists attempt to imply that all individuals in Ukraine are dispatched to the frontlines and that Bakhmut serves as a form of intimidation or disciplinary measure for men.
